Emerald Lake Campground
Open year-round. Full services including potable water, maintained vault toilets, and trash collection available Memorial Day through Labor Day at $15/night. Off-season camping is free but primitive with no water or trash service. A food storage order is in effect through December 1, 2026 on the Beartooth Ranger District.
Red Flag Warning issued August 1 at 12:56AM MDT until August 2 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Billings MT
* IMPACTS: Low humidities, hot temperatures, gusty winds, and wind shift with a cold front will create erratic fire behavior. * AFFECTED AREA: In South Central MT Fire Zones...123...124...125...126...127 128. * COUNTIES AFFECTED: In Central MT...Golden Valley...Musselshell...Wheatland. In South Central MT...Carbon...Park...Stillwater...Sweet Grass Yellowstone. In Southwest MT...Gallatin. * WIND: Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph Saturday, becoming northwest 10 to 20 mph Sunday. * HUMIDITY: As low as 5 percent Saturday, as low as 10 percent Sunday. * TEMPERATURES: Up to 105 degrees Saturday, up to 98 degrees Sunday. * COLD FRONT: A cold front moves through Saturday night shifting winds from the southwest to the northwest.
About
Emerald Lake Campground occupies a forested setting in the West Rosebud drainage of the Custer Gallatin National Forest, positioned between Emerald Lake and West Rosebud Lake at the gateway to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. The 32 sites accommodate tents and trailers up to 30 feet and operate strictly first-come, first-served with no reservation system. Some sites are equipped with bear-resistant food storage lockers. During the peak season from Memorial Day through Labor Day, the campground offers hand-pumped potable water, maintained vault toilets, and a centrally located bear-resistant dumpster. Fees are $15 per night for a single site and $5 per additional vehicle. Interagency Senior and Access Pass holders receive a 50% discount on single-site fees. Outside the fee season, the campground remains open and ungated but operates as a primitive facility with no services, no water, and pack-out-only trash. Campers should bring their own water and toilet paper. A 16-day maximum stay applies year-round. Firewood is not provided; visitors should obtain firewood locally rather than transporting it to prevent the spread of tree-killing insects.
Directions
From Red Lodge, drive north on US Hwy 212 for 2.1 miles and turn left onto MT-78. Continue 30 miles and turn left onto MT-419 toward Fishtail. Drive 4.4 miles through Fishtail and turn left onto West Rosebud Road. Continue 6.5 miles and turn left to stay on West Rosebud Road. Drive 12.4 miles to the campground on the left.
Location
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 - $15 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | 30ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (406) 446-2103 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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